That's why they were 21-6 through 27 games, and 9-2 in district going into this week.

The five-game winning streak the Vikings took into this week included a 3-2 win over Kempner, which they lost 5-2 to in the first round of district, but Welch said the streak isn't a big deal.

It's coming at the right time, but Dulles has been pretty consistent all year, and Welch isn't sure they're peaking.

"The bottom line is we've been in every game this year," he said.

"We don't have a game we've played all year, including our six losses, where we weren't right there in the game."

Still, the Kempner win moved them one step closer to making the playoffs.

The Cougars led 2-0 after the first inning but the Vikings scored three in the fifth on run-scoring singles by Eric Johnson and Zack Belski and a Kempner error.

"It was an important win in terms of getting us a little bit closer to the first goal," Welch said. "I think nine wins at least ties for a playoff spot."

Dakota Mills earned the win against Kempner. The senior righthander has been the primary full-time starter this season.

"He's been excellent," Welch said.

"He's following up last year with another really, really good year. He's very consistent every night out, does a good job of attacking the strike zone and getting ahead of hitters and hitting spots."

Standout lefty Nick Hernandez also has several starts, but he also has come on in relief this season.

"He's kind of a swing guy for us, and it's not just us, a lot of teams do this," Welch said. "I think Kempner's been using Taccolini and Dusek, and stacking them on top of each other - throw one five, bring the other one in to throw two or one, and then reversing that the next time out, things like that."

"Those six guys combined have had a pretty solid year for us," Welch said.

So have first six guys in the batting order.

Right fielder Eric Johnson is the leadoff, followed by center fielder Darryn Sheppard, Belski, Hernandez, Williams - who play first, third and shortstop, respectively, when they're not pitching - and second baseman Jaylen Hubbard.

Hubbard is the only junior in the group. The other five players are seniors.

"The first six guys in the order have been very consistent and productive, and if one goes into a min-slump, the other ones are picking up the slack," Welch said.

The Vikings also lost 6-5 to Elkins in the first round. They meet again April 26 on the final day of the regular season.

"The next two Fridays we've got Clements and Elkins, and doing the math it looks like one more win clinches a playoff spot," Welch said. "If we can get that, then we achieve goal No. 1 and we'll see if we can keep improving.

"If we're fortunate enough to get in the playoffs, hopefully we'll keep improving and find a hot streak."

That's what it's going to take - even for a top contender.

"We've got enough depth - along with a bunch of teams in the Greater Houston area - to get there (to state)," Welch said.

"You just have to have things go right. You've got to get hot and be playing well and hitting on all cylinders when you get to the playoffs, and then you're still going to have to have a break or two."